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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Summer is here and you know what that means … fun and sun, bumps and bugs. To help stay in tip-top shape all summer long, here are three essential oils to keep on hand.

Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, has a characteristic aroma frequently used in room sprays and cosmetic products to help relive stress and support relaxation. The essential oil also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which can be very handy with minor bumps and scrapes. To make your own lavender ointment, warm 2-oz sweet almond oil over a double boiler and add 1/4-oz grated beeswax. Stir until the wax is dissolved then add 25 drops lavender Lavandula angustifolia oil, 10 drops bergamot Citrus aurantium var. bergamia oil, and 5 drops thyme Thymus vulgaris oil. Cool before placing in jars and leave it to completely cool before putting on the lid to avoid condensation.

Neroli, Citrus aurantium var. amara, has a decadent, light floral aroma reminiscent of a stroll through the garden. It is the quintessential aroma for summer ambiance. To support relaxation and to refresh the air, diffuse around your home (especially if you plan to staycation this summer!).

Sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum, is a pale-colored oil with a slightly spice aroma; it is reminiscent of cloves and camphor. Medicinally, the essential oil has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which make it a useful ingredient in blends or when diluted in a carrier oil. In addition, basil’s essential oil is an effective natural insect repellent[1] and a good alternative to citronella essential oil if you do not like citronella’s strong scent; diffuse the essential oil at your outdoor events for a fresh aroma and some added insurance against those pesky mosquitoes.

Which essential oil is essential for you? Post a comment and tell us which essential oil is a summer must ... be sure to include your favorite blend and recipes!!

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Aromatherapy is a term that gets tossed around in the commercial market with little credibility to the fundamental science behind it. For the aromatherapy student who may look forward to a future in the industry, this is a frustrating issue because it becomes more of a challenge attempting to reach out to those who stand to gain a tremendous amount of benefit from the practice. If you are planning on starting a career in aromatherapy, here are some important factors to educating your customers.

1. Understand you are an educator—If you are a Registered Aromatherapist (RA) you must recognize that achievement. Your education gives you a vast amount of knowledge in the industry which the average person does not have. Provided you remain in your scope of practice and within ethical guidelines, you have quite a powerhouse of information to help improve clients’ quality of life. You earned that right through your education. Wasn’t it valuable to you the first time you heard it?

2. Have a business plan—Aromatherapy study is broad. There are hundreds of essential oils and many applications of using them. Having a strategic business plan will allow you to focus on how to get your message across. Determine which area of aromatherapy business you want to focus on and in which platform you will be communicating: leased site, website, colleges or other? As soon as you have a solid idea of your plan, you will be able to develop well-suited ideas that will best fit your business model. Having a clear, well-thought-out direction will enable you to make smarter choices and lead to fewer frustrations. Do not be afraid to start small; you do not have to deliver the entire message all at once. You might decide that you want to concentrate your efforts on a branch of aromatherapy that appeals to you, and from there you could expand that into a business model.